'The Sun in Splendour': the reign of Edward IV, 1471–1483 (A-level only) common mistakes

Common mistakes

• Confusing Edward IV's reign with earlier conflicts

  Students often mix events from Edward IV's reign with earlier Wars of the Roses conflicts.

  Fix itFocus specifically on events and policies from 1471 to 1483 to accurately assess Edward IV's consolidation of power.

• Overgeneralizing the Woodville Influence

  Students often state that the Woodvilles were universally disliked without acknowledging the complexity of their relationships.

  Fix itIt's important to recognize that while many nobles opposed the Woodvilles, some did support them, and their influence was not uniformly negative.

• Overgeneralizing economic impacts

  Students often claim that all regions benefited equally from Edward IV's policies.

  Fix itAcknowledge regional differences in economic growth and social mobility, focusing on specific areas like Yorkshire and East Anglia.

• Confusing the roles of key figures

  Students often confuse the roles of Richard III and Edward IV during the succession crisis.

  Fix itClarify that Richard III was Edward IV's brother and became king after Edward IV's death, while Edward IV was the reigning monarch prior to his death.